Jim Lang
CFL.ca
It really is amazing to think that after training camp, 18 regular season games and the playoffs, once again the Alouettes will meet the Roughriders in the Grey Cup. We will take a more in depth look at the strengths and weaknesses later in the week. For now, it is time to look back at what happened in the Eastern and Western Finals.
Eastern Final
Toronto Argonauts 17 at Montreal Alouettes 48
This game was never close. Anthony Calvillo and the Alouettes came out of the tunnel at the sold-out Big O on a mission. The week before in the Eastern Semi-Final, the Ticats were kind enough to commit a number of key turnovers and played right into the Argos game plan. Calvillo and the Als had no desire to give the Argos any hope they might have a chance to win this game. The points came fast and furious and the Als went into the locker-room at half time with a 27-6 lead. The Als kept pounding on the Argos in the second half as they punched their ticket for Edmonton.
Star of the game – There’s no question that receiver Jamel Richardson had a big game with five catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns. But the Als real star of the game has to be running back Avon Cobourne. Sick of hearing how great the Argos Cory Boyd was all week, Cobourne let his actions speak volumes. Cobourne ran for 163 yards and scored a touchdown and added another 53 yards receiving just for good measure.
The Unsung hero – This is an easy one, defensive tackle JP Bekasiak. The Edmonton native had a sack and an interception as he and the rest of his brothers on defence did a number on Cleo Lemon. By the time the Argos were able to get on the scoreboard, the game was all but over. The most impressive thing about Bekasiak and the Als defence was the way they shut down Cory Boyd and the Argos running game.
What we learned – Once again we learned that there is still a huge gap between the Alouettes and the rest of the teams in the East. The Als have now won the Eastern Final eight times since 2000. We also learned that the Als are good enough to “turn it on” when they need it. The Als didn’t really have anything to play for in the last six weeks, but they had no trouble taking their game to another level when it counted.
Western Final
Saskatchewan Roughriders 20 at Calgary Stampeders 16
Down 11-0 after the first quarter, the Riders never blinked and they never wavered from what they set out to do. Showing incredible mental toughness, the Riders overcame the weather and overcame the road to come up with a gutsy win the Western Final. Make no mistake; this was a total team effort by the Riders. Ken Miller needed every man on the active roster to step up to win this game and every player on the Riders sold out on every play to get the job done. The little team with the CFL’s biggest fan base is now going to their third Grey Cup in the last four years. I really hope the City of Edmonton has the presence of mind to order in extra Rye and Pilsner this week.
Star of the game – With all due respect to Chris Getzlaf, I have to give the award to Darian Durant for coming up with a clutch effort on the road in brutal conditions. Durant was 20 of 36 for 180 yards and two touchdowns and also added another 51 yards rushing. This was the second straight year that Durant outplayed Henry Burris in the West final. Durant is proof once again that a team in CFL will rarely make it to the Grey Cup without a great quarterback. There’s no question that Durant is one heck a quarterback.
Unsung hero – This award would have to go to receiver Cary Koch. Filling the void for the injured Rob Bagg, Koch came up with three catches for 24 yards and a crucial touchdown in the Riders over the Stamps. With Andy Fantuz getting shut down by the Stamps secondary, the Riders needed other receivers to step up and make some plays and Koch came through in the clutch.
What we learned – We definitely learned that Darian Durant has Henry Burris’ number in the Western Final. We also learned that James Patrick has an incredible nose for the football and an amazing ability to come up with a turnover just when the Riders need it the most. Here’s another thing we learned, the Riders are deep enough at receiver to win a playoff game on the road without Andy Fantuz catching a single pass.
